Portable combination lectern and easel



April 24, 1962 A. E. SCHIEVE PORTABLE COMBINATION LECTERN AND EASEL 4Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed' Feb. 16, 1959 FIG. 4-

INVENTOR ARTHUR E. SCHIEVE BY% W HIS ATTORNEY April 24, 1962 A. E.SCHIEVE 3,031,247

PORTABLE COMBINATION LECTERN AND EASEL Filed Feb. 16, 1959 4Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ARTHUR E. SCHIEVE MM WM HIS ATTORNEY A ril 24,1962 A. E. SCHIEVE 3,031,247

V PORTABLE COMBINATION LECTERN AND EASEL Filed Feb. 16, 1959 4Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR 61 ARTHUR E. SCHIEVE H s ATToRNg April 24, 1962A. E. SCHIEVE PORTABLE COMBINATION LECTERN AND EASEL Filed Feb. 16, 19594 Sheets-Sheet 4 "108 t H E INVENTOR ARTHUR E. SCHIEVE llm. 18

HIS ATTORNEY nited States ice 3,031,247 PORTABLE COMBINATION LECTERN ANDEASEL Arthur E. Schieve, 3070 Southdale Drive, Dayton 9, Ohio Filed Feb.16, 1959, Ser. No. 793,478 11 Claims. (Cl. 312-231) This inventionrelates to a portable combination lectern and easel. The inventionrelates more particularly to a portable combination lectern and easel inwhich a carrying case serves to contain most of the elements of theassembly and in which the carrying case also serves as a major part ofthe assembly.

Many people who do public speaking and lecturing find 1t desirable tohave a lectern upon which to place their papers and other materialreferred to while speaking. Furthermore, many public speakers find thatit is highly desirable to have an easel or display board available forshowing various charts, maps, or upon which sketches and other notesshown to the audience may be made. Such a public speaker often findsthat there is no lectern or display board or easel available vat theplace Where the speaking is to occur.

An object of this invention is to provide a portable combination lecternand easel.

Another object of this invention is to provide such a portablecombination lectern and easel in which most of the elements thereof arecarried within a carrying case and in which the carrying case is alsoused as a support member and as a major part of the assembly.

Another object of this invention is to provide such an assembly which isreadily and easily portable, which can be sturdily built of light weightmaterials and is long lived.

Other objects and advantages reside in the construction of parts, thecombination thereof, the method of manufacture, and the mode ofoperation, as will become more apparent from the following description.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing a closed carrying case of theportable combination lectern and easel assembly of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view showing the carrying case in openposition with other elements of the assembly therewithin.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view showing the carrying case in an openposition during attachment of elements of the assembly one to the other.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing a portion of twosections of a support leg member of this invention, with the sections inunattached relation.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to FIGURE 4 showing twosections of a support leg member of this invention in attached relation.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view showing the rear portion of the assemblyof this invention arranged as an easel or display board. 7

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the front portion ofthe assembly of this invention used as a display board or easel.

FIGURE 8 is a plan view showing an auxiliary support member of theassembly of this invention.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line 9-9of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line 1010of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line11-11 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged sectional View taken substantially on line 1212of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of an assembly of this inventionarranged for use as a lectern. 1

Patented Apr. 24, 1962 FIGURE 14 is a sectional view taken substantiallyon line 14-14 of FIGURE 13.

FIGURE 15 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line15-15 of FIGURE 13.

FIGURE 16 is a perspective view showing a preferred modification of aportion of the support members of a combination lectern andeaselassembly of this invention.

FIGURE 17 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line 1717of FIGURE 16.

FIGURE 18 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 1818 of FIGURE17.

Referring to the drawings in detail, a. portable combined easel andlectern of this invention includes a carrying case 18 which is providedwith a. pair of box like sections 12 and 14 which are pivotally attachedone to the other in any suitable manner, such as by hinges. 16 or thelike. A pair of latch members or fastener members 18 are used to retainthe sections 12 and 14 in closed position, as shown in FIGURE 1. Ahandle member 20 is shown attached to the section 14 for carrying thecase 19.

The carrying case 10 is adapted to contain, inter alia, a plurality ofleg members 26. Also disposable within the carrying case 10 is anauxiliary support member 28 which may be in the form of a rigid sheet orplate or any other suitable shape. The auxiliary support member 28 isprovided with apertures 30 and 31.

The leg members 26 may be extended in length in any suitable manner,such as by attaching in end to end relation, by pins 32 and slots 33, asbest shownin FIG- URES 3, 4, and 5, or the leg members 26 may be extensible by folding or by telescopic means or the like. The auxiliarysupport member 28 may be angularly con nected to the section 12 by anysuitable means. As best shown in FIGURE 6, a pair of slotted holdermembers 34 are attached within the section 12 of the case 10. Theauxiliary support member 28 is slidably inserted within the slots of theholder members 34, as shown in FIG- URE 6.

The section 12 is shown as being provided with an aperture 35 extendingtherethrough intermediate the latch members 18, as best shown in FIGURE2. The aperture 30 of the auxiliary support member 28 is aligned withthe aperture 35 within the section 12. One of the leg members 26 isinserted through the apertures 30 and 35, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 6.Thus, a leg member 26 and the slotted holders 34 retain the auxiliarysupport member 28 in fixed position with respect to the section 12. Itis to be understood that the auxiliary support member 28 may beconnected to the section 12 in any other suitable manner such as byhinges, snaps, or the like.

One of the leg members 26 is also inserted through each of the apertures31. As shown in FIGURE 9, the portion of the auxiliary support member 28adjacent each aperture 31 is distorted so that a leg member 26 extendingthrough the aperture 31 is angular with respect to the auxiliary supportmember 28. The upper end of each of the leg members 26 is disposedWithin a socket of a connector bracket 40 which is attached to thesection 12 of the carrying case 10 at a portion thereof opposite theaperture 35 of the section 12, as shown in FIGURES 6 and 11. Threadedconnection of the legs 26 to the bracket 40 may be used, as shown inFIGURE 11. The leg members 26, in cooperation with the auxiliary supportmember 28, are thus in a position to firmly support the carrying case10, as shown in FIGURES 6 and 13..

The side portions of the sections 12 and 14 to which the hinge members16 are attached are provided with apertures 42 therethrough which are inalignment one with the other when the carrying case 10 isin an openposition, as shown in FIGURES 2, 3, 6, 7 and 12. Bolt members 44 aredisposable within the carrying case 10 and are also insertable throughthe aperture 42. The bolts 44 with suitable nuts 45 are thus adatped toretain the sections 12 and 14 in aligned relation, as best shown inFIGURE 12. With the sections 12 and 14 of the carrying case 10 thussecured in aligned relation, as shown in FIGURE 7, the surface of thecarrying case 10 serves as a display board or easel.

L-shaped pin members 51) are disposable within the carrying case 10, asshown in FIGURE 2, and are insertable into apertures 52 in the section14 adjacent the handle as shown in FIGURES 7 and 10. The pin members 50'are thus adapted to retain a writing pad 56 or the like, as shown inFIGURES 7 and 10. The Writing pad 56 is disposable within the carryingcase 10, as shown in FIGURE 2.

A bar 57 is disposable within the carrying case 10, as shown in FIGURE2, and is provided with a pair of pin members 59. The pin members 59 areadapted to be inserted into holes 61 in the front surface of the section12 so that the bar 57 may serve as a ledge, as shown in FIGURE 7, tohold pencils and the like.

The assembly of this invention is also adapted for use as a lectern.When the assembly is employed as a lectern, the bolt members 44 are notused, and the sections 12 and 14 of the carrying case 10 are angularlydisposed one with respect to the other, as shown in FIGURES 13 and 14. Apair of brace members 58 are pivotally attached within one of thesections of the carrying case 10 and are extendable to engage theopposite Section thereof, as shown in FIGURES 13 and 14, to retain thedesired angular position of the sections 12 and 14 of the carrying case10.

The pins 59 of the bar member 57 also fit within the holes 64 in thesection 14 so that the bar member 57 may serve as a ledge for retaininga book, papers, or the like upon the surface of the section 14 when thecarrying case 10 is positioned as shown in FIGURE 12 and used as alectern.

FIGURES 16, 17, and 18 disclose a preferred modification of an easel andlectern assembly of this invention. In FIGURE 16 a carrying case 70 isshown which is similar to the carrying case 10, of the other figures ofthe drawings. The carrying case 70 has sections 72 and 74 pivotallyattached together as discussed above.

An enclosing wall 76 of the section 74 has a bracket 80 attached theretoby means of screws 81, as shown in FIGURE 17. A tripod 82 has anupwardly extending bolt or stud 84 at the upper end thereof. The bolt orstud 84 extends through an aperture in the bracket 80 in spaced relationto the screws 81. A nut 86 is threadedly attached to the stud 84 andfirmly clamps the bracket 80 against a head 88 of the tripod 82.

Any suitable means are provided for tilting the head 88 upon a body 94}of the tripod 82. An extending handle or crank 92 is operativelyconnected to clamping means (not shown) for securing the angle of thehead 88 with respect to the body 90.

The tripod 82 is provided with leg members 94, 96, and 98. Each of theleg members 94, 96, and 98, is telescopically extensible and may besecured in any adjusted position by means of nuts 100.

A wall 102 of the section 74 which is opposite the wall 76 thereof isprovided with a slot 104, as best shown in FIGURES 16 and 18, into whicha portion of an auxiliary support member 108 is slidably movable. Theauxiliary support member 108 is provided with notches or slots 110,1-12, and 114, as shown in FIGURE 18.

The leg 94 is disposed within the notch 110 and the legs 96 and 98 aredisposed within the notches 112 and 114, respectively, as best shown inFIGURE 18, the legs 94, 96, and 98 engaging the auxiliary support member108. Thus, the legs 94, 96, and 98, in cooperation with the auxiliarysupport member 108, firmly support the carrying case 70.

When the carrying case is disposed as an easel, as shown in FIGURE 16,the section 72 is fixed with respect to the section 74 by any suitableclamping means, such as by bolts 115.

The carrying case 70 may have the section 72 thereof pivotally moved toa position such as shown in FIGURE 13 while a brace 116, similar to thebrace 58, retains the pivotal position of the sections 72 and 74.

The auxiliary support member 108 may be slidably removed from the slot104 of the section 74 and placed within the carrying case 70. The head88 of the tripod 82 is detachable from the bracket and the legs 94, 96,and 98 of the tripod 32 may be adjusted to a length permitting thetripod 82 to be disposed within the carrying case 70.

Thus, it is understood that the support elements for the carrying caseof this invention are readily and easily disposable within the carryingcase. The carrying case is a major part of the assembly in that thecarrying case serves as support means for papers, books and the likewhen the assembly is arranged as either a lectern or a display board oreasel.

Although the preferred embodiment of the device has been described, itwill be understood that within the purview of this invention variouschanges may be made in the form, details, proportion and arrangement ofparts, the combination thereof and mode of operation, which generallystated consist in a device capable of carrying out the objects setforth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A portable easel and lectern assembly comprising a carrying casehaving a plurality of sections pivotally attached one to the other, thesections being movable to relatively angularly disposed positions andmovable to a position in which the sections are in alignment, thecarrying case having a central portion, means for retaining saidpositions of the sections of the carrying case, a plurality of supportmembers disposable within the carrying case, the support membersincluding a plurality of leg members, connector means joining the legmembers together in adjacent relationship at the upper ends thereof,means attaching the connector means to the carrying case adjacent thecentral portion thereof, an auxiliary support member, the auxiliarysupport member having a portion in engagement with an edge portion ofone of the sections at a position spaced from the central portion of thecarrying case, the auxiliary support member also being in engagementwith the leg members intermediate the ends thereof.

2. A combination lectern and easel comprising a carrying case, thecarrying case having a central portion, a plurality of support membersdisposable within the carrying case and connectable thereto adjacent acentral portion thereof for support thereof, the support membersincluding a plurality of leg members connected together at one endthereof and adjacent the central portion of the carrying case, anauxiliary support member disposable within the carrying case, theauxiliary support member having a portion in engagement with an edge ofthe carrying case which is spaced from the central portion thereof, eachof the leg members having a portion intermediate the ends thereof inengagement with the auxiliary support member.

3. An easel and lectern assembly comprising a carrying case, a pluralityof leg members disposable within the carrying case, the carrying casehaving a central portion, means attached to the central portion of thecarrying case for connecting one end of each of the leg members togetherin adjacent relationship and to the carrying case, and auxiliary supportmeans disposable within the carrying case, means for attaching theauxiliary support means to the carrying case at a portion thereof spacedfrom the central portion thereof, the auxiliary support means havingportions in engagement with the leg mem bers intermediate the endsthereof.

4. A portable stand comprising a carrying case, the carrying case havinga central portion, support means disposable within the carrying case andattachable to an inner portion of the carrying case, the support meansbeing extensible from the carrying case for support thereof, the supportmeans including auxiliary support means and three legs, the auxiliarysupport means being in en gagement with the carrying case at apositionspaced from the central portion thereof, the three legs havingthe upper ends thereof connected together in adjacent relationship andto the carrying case at a position adjacent the central portion of thecarrying case, the three legs having portions which are spaced from thecentral portion of the carrying case and which are in engagement withthe auxiliary support means.

5. A portable stand comprising a carrying case, a plurality of supportmembers disposable within the carrying case and connectable thereto forsupport thereof, the carrying case including a first section and asecond section pivotally attached one to the other so that an exteriorsurface of each of the sections is a support surface, the

carrying case having a central portion, the support members including aplurality of legs joined at the upper ends thereof one to the other inadjacent relationship and to the carrying case at a position adjacentthe central portion of the carrying case, and an auxiliary supportmember, the auxiliary support member being in engagement with one of thesections and all of the legs being in engagement with the auxiliarysupport member.

6. A combination lectern and easel comprising carrying case providedwith a pair of sections pivotally attached one to the other, a bracketattached to one of the sections, a tripod connected to said bracket, thetripod having extensible leg members all of which are connected togetheradjacent the bracket, brace means connected to said section of thecarrying case at a position spaced from the bracket, each of the legmembers having an intermediate portion which is in engagement withthebrace means.

7. A support stand for papers, books, and the like comprising a carryingcase having an attachment portion, a tripod having telescopic legs,means attaching the tripod to the carrying case at the attachmentportion thereof for support thereof, the legs of the tripod beingattached together adjacent the attachment portion of the carrying case,brace means, and means connecting the brace means to the carrying caseat an edge portion thereof, the brace means having portions inengagement with the legs or" the tripod intermediate the ends thereof,the brace means and the tripod being disposable within the carryingcase.

8. A support stand according to claim 7 in which the brace means has aplurality of notches and a portion of each of the leg members of thetripod is in engagement with the brace means within one of the notches.

9. A lectern and easel assembly comprising a pair of box-like sectionspivotally attached one to the other, the sections having an attachmentportion, a plurality of support members, means joining one of thesupportmembers to the edge of one of the sections with said supportmembers extending therefrom, means attaching the other support memberstogether with portions thereof in adjacent relationship, the last saidmeans including means attaching said other support members to theattachment portion of the sections, each of said other support membershaving a portion in engagement with the first said support member, andmeans for retaining said sections in angular relation one with respectto the other, and means for retaining said sections in straight linerelation one with respect to the other.

10. An easel and lectern assembly comprising a carrying case having anattachment portion, a support leg as sembly disposable within thecarrying case, means attaching the support leg assembly to theattachment portion of the carrying case, the support leg assemblyincluding a plurality of leg members having the upper ends thereofattached together in adjacent relationship, and an auxiliary supportmember connected to the carrying case at a position spaced from theattachment portion and in engagement with the leg members intermediatethe ends thereof for auxiliary support of the carrying case.

'11. A lectern and easel assembly including a plurality of box-likesections pivotally attached one tothe other, each of the sections havinga support surface, the sections being pivotally movable to a position inwhich the support surfaces thereof are coplanar so that an easel isformed by the support surfaces of both the sections, means retainingsaid sections in said position, the sections also being pivotallymovable to angular positions one with respect to the other so that alectern is formed by the support surface of one of the sections, meansretaining said angular positions of the sections, support means, thesupport means including three legs and auxiliary support means, thethree legs having the upper ends thereof attached together in adjacentrelationship and to the carrying case, the auxiliary support meansengaging one of the sections and extending therefrom, the three legshaving intermediate portions which are in engagement with the auxiliarysupport means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS518,581 Bartlett Apr. 24, 1894 1,065,255 Kuhrt June 17, 1913 1,167,046Campbell Jan. 4, 1916 1,361,101 Santoro Dec. 7, 1920 1,480,631 OsbornJan. 15, 1924- 2,156,489 Bonetti May 2, 1939 2,583,532 Havens Jan. 29,1952

